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About this project

What is Smart Mug?

Smart Mug is a mug that is minimalistic design, thermoelectric powered, environmentally friendly and temperature indicating; it can easily be used for hot beverages, such as tea and coffee.

Smart Mug determines the temperature of the liquid inside the mug and indicates the right time to start enjoying your favourite beverage. Light indicators correspond to temperature levels next to them, once temperature changes and passes indicator threshold it turns on or off. There are six light indicators - indicating too high, ideal and lower temperatures.

What is right temperature and why it is important?

We have conducted extensive research and concluded that hot beverages such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate and other are frequently served at temperatures between 70⁰ C (158⁰ F) and 85⁰ C (185⁰ F). Brief exposures to liquids in these temperatures can cause scald burns.

We have thought about ways of measuring temperature of the beverage consumed at home or office, without the need of any additional attributes; eventually we came up with an idea of Smart Mug, powered by innovative elements and based on beautiful minimalist design.

What our indicators mean?

We would like to emphasize on a variety of benefits associated with the Smart Mug:

Smart Mug indicates the recommended temperature of the beverage in which it should be served, with no help of any external devices.

Universal and user friendly, indicating the temperature in both the Celsius and Fahrenheit.

Smart Mug does not require cord, charger or batteries as power source; it is powered by power generated from the temperature difference. We are looking for the Smart Mug to be operating for 10 years and above; this however needs to be communicated efficiently with the part suppliers and manufacturers during the process to ensure the best parts available.

The Smart Mug has no operating parts in direct contact with the liquid inside it, which makes the mug absolutely safe to be used even by older generations and young children.

The bottom of the Smart Mug remains cool therefore it is not leaving stains on your beautiful surfaces.

The design of the Smart Mug is waterproof and dishwasher safe.

And finally, the Smart Mug will make you look stylish.

Our current progress

We have designed user friendly and convenient minimalist mug for consuming all types of hot beverages with the capacity of up to 350ml/12oz.

We have created a thermoelectric powered (powered by energy generated from temperature difference; heat received from hot beverage inside the mug is converted into electricity using thermoelectric power generator) scheme which is connected to the indicating lights and perceives the temperature fluctuations by indicating the right temperature in which the beverage is ready to be consumed.

These are the first steps in our process - early battery powered scheme testing and handmade mug model creation. Testing the battery powered scheme and creating a handmade model of the mug.

Many tests were conducted using different possible mug shell materials and temperatures.

Testing one of the temporary scheme prototypes using direct liquid contact.

Below is the current prototype we used for testing. It is not a pre-production model and does not reflect actual component placement. We will use higher quality and increased precision components in actual production.

This is our current prototype in open view. Actual assembled scheme will be much smaller. All elements will be mounted inside bottom section of the mug; and LED lights will be placed inside the wall of the mug.

Schematic view of the final version of the Smart Mug

This is the provisional version of electronics inside our mug. We will have to finalize and approve this as a preproduction sample with our manufacturers once the funding goal is achieved.

Our mission was to make the design user friendly and visually appealing. Many hours were spent designing and discussing possible options. Eventually we came up with a simple and universal design indicating the temperature in both the Celsius and Fahrenheit.

The prototype is currently awaiting the final touches before the manufacturing process starts.

We have communicated well with the potential suppliers and manufacturers of the parts and have come up with a provisional plan for the production of the Smart Mug.

What is left to be done and what is our plan:

Currently we are seeking for an investment in order for the manufacturing of the Smart Mug to be launched; this would give us an opportunity to introduce our backers with this brilliant product, making sure that they can enjoy their favourite beverages.

OCTOBER: We have to finalize and approve the final pre-production sample that will be used in machine production. This includes placing the operating element in the base of the mug design, choosing perfect LED lights from a wide range offered by supplier , selecting the adequate capacity and increased precision component, and adjusting the LED temperature sensor according to the actual location of the temperature sensor.

NOVEMBER: Sign agreements with the suppliers and manufacturers of the parts to order required quantity components. This step will also involve testing the supplied components in order to maintain the quality of our product.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER: Start machine production of the of the Smart Mug shell. We have negotiated with our provisional manufacturer that we would be producing the Smart Mug in Germany.

DECEMBER/FEBRUARY: Assemble the final product. After mug shell is produced, it will be connected with the operating parts and then the final product will be assembled in factory.

FEBRUARY: Carry out quality control. We will conduct extensive testing with quality control professionals to reveal and eliminate any defects, and provide the best quality possible.

MARCH: Package Smart Mugs. And finally the moment we have been waiting for - we will finally package Smart Mugs and ship them to you!

Here we are - the team behind Smart Mug project.

Help us spread the world, share the link of the Smart Mug project link with your friends.

Risks and challenges

The production of the Smart Mug will be accomplished by cooperating with a manufacturing company and suppliers of the parts. In order to keep our customers satisfied we will need to ensure a quality product, and make sure all the deadlines are met. This will be accomplished by monitoring the whole manufacturing process to ensure the best quality possible.

We will keep you updated on any changes that might occur, and do our best to achieve all goals in time and with no compromise on quality.